Orange County

Focus

Education

J.D., Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School

M.S., Brigham Young University

B.S., California State Polytechnic University

Representative Matters

Natural Resources

Athens Group/Montage/Aliso Creek Inn (Laguna Beach). Represented the developer of a proposed resort hotel and residential project on local planning issues, CEQA compliance, California Coastal Commission approval, state and federal wetlands and endangered species issues, and a variety of related development and entitlement matters.

Troxler/North Peak (Lake Elsinore). Represented the developer of a 1,780-acre master-planned community on local, state, and federal regulatory permit and entitlement issues including local planning and zoning, CEQA compliance, a development agreement, endangered species, archaeological reserves, wetlands, and land exchange issues.

Lytle Creek Land & Resources/Lytle Creek (Rialto/County of San Bernardino). Represented the developer of a 3,000-acre residential, commercial, and mixed-use project on CEQA compliance, general plan amendment and specific plan issues, water supply, development agreement matters, subdivision map issues, and wetlands, endangered species and habitat protection.

Watermarke/Twin Creeks (County of Riverside). Represented the developer of 600-acre master-planned community in Riverside County (Corona sphere) on local, state and federal regulatory permitting and entitlement issues including annexation, mining, MSHCP compliance, CEQA, wetlands permitting, planning and zoning and other related matters.

Boulder Springs Ventures (Riverside County). Represented the developer of a 900-acre master planned community on local, state and federal regulatory permit issues including a specific plan amendment, CEQA compliance, a development agreement, endangered species, archeological reserves, wetlands, and land exchange issues.

Forecast/Eagle Glen (Corona/County of Riverside). Represented the developer of a 1,000-acre residential/golf course planned community on CEQA compliance, state and federal wetlands and endangered species issues, water supply, specific plan amendment issues, and annexation.

Empire Land/Corona Hills/The Retreat (County of Riverside). Represented the developer of a 1,000-acre master-planned community and golf course on state and federal endangered species and wetlands permitting matters.

Coussoulis Development/Sunset Hills/Creekside (Redlands). Represented the developer of a 365-acre residential project on state and federal entitlement-related matters regarding a 404 permit, a 401 certification, a Section 7 consultation, a 1603 agreement, and a 2081 agreement.

Coal and Uranium Mining Companies (Arizona and New Mexico). Represented a number of mining companies on mineral leasing within the Navajo and Hopi Indian reservations.

SunCal/College Park (Chino). Represented client in the development of a 440-acre master-planned community on development agreements, CEQA, initiatives, local planning , water supply, state and federal endangered species and wetlands permitting, and state surplus lands.

John Laing Homes/Pelican Properties (Fullerton). Represented the developer of a seven-acre mixed-use, urban-infill project with residential, office, retail and parking structures on CEQA, local planning, redevelopment, negotiation of a disposition and development agreement, prevailing wage issues, and public finance issues.

John Laing Homes/Euclid Street (La Habra). Represented the developer of a 12-acre, 91-unit residential project on development agreement negotiation, CEQA compliance, local land use approvals, affordable housing agreement, disposition and development agreement, owner participation agreement, and other related matters.

WB Parc Anaheim/Parc Anaheim (Anaheim). Represented the developer of a 12-acre high density, urban infill, mixed-use project with 474 residential units and 49,000 square feet of commercial on CEQA compliance, initiative and referendum issues, local political issues, and local entitlements.

Foremost Communities/New Model Colony (Ontario). Represented client in the acquisition and development of three parcels of property, totaling 77 acres, within New Model Colony including pre-acquisition land use due diligence and post-acquisition negotiation of infrastructure issues, new subdivision maps, a development agreement and related matters.

Foremost Communities/Sierra Promenade (Fontana). Represented client on pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition entitlements for a 67-acre project in Fontana. The new entitlements include a new specific plan, a new CEQA document, subdivision maps, and related matters.

Sage Community Group/Cielo Vista (Yorba Linda). Represented the developer of a 117-acre, 117-unit residential project on CEQA compliance, general plan amendment and specific plan processing, initiative issues, local political issues, and state and federal permitting.

DMB Development/Ladera Ranch (County of Orange). Represented a potential financial partner to developer of large master-planned mixed use community on pre-acquisition due diligence review with focus on CEQA compliance, project entitlement, and wetlands and endangered species issues.

DMB Development/Black Mountain Ranch (County of San Diego). Represented a potential joint venture partner to the developer of a large master-planned mixed-use community on the pre-acquisition due diligence review, with a focus on CEQA compliance, project entitlement, and wetlands and endangered species issues.

CEQA/NEPA

Signal Landmark/Koll/Bolsa Chica (Newport Beach/County of Orange). Represented the developer of 1,600-acre wetlands restoration and residential development project. Key tasks included CEQA and NEPA compliance, negotiation of a development agreement, California Coastal Commission approval, state wetlands and endangered species issues, specific plans and local coastal programs, negotiation of park and open space dedications, and assistance in litigation defense relating to CEQA and California Coastal Act compliance.

Signal Landmark/Eagle Crest (Escondido). Represented the developer of an 800-acre residential and country club community on CEQA compliance, specific plan issues, subdivision map processing, wetland and endangered species permitting, negotiating a development agreement, a golf course management agreement, homeowner CC&Rs, and litigation in state and federal courts related to CEQA, development agreement, water supply, civil rights violations, and takings.

Mid-Cal Pacific Development Corporation/Chandler Ranch (Paso Robles). Represented the owner/developer of a 675-acre master-planned community on specific plan and general plan issues, processing, water supply, CEQA compliance, state and federal permitting issues, airport land use plan issues, and all related entitlement issues.

Hines/Teller Avenue (Irvine). Represented the developer of an 18-acre commercial office development project on CEQA compliance, local entitlement, development agreement, trip transfers, and related matters.

Baker Ranch Properties/Baker Ranch (County of Orange). Represented the developer of a 600+ acre commercial/industrial project on local planning issues, CEQA compliance, endangered species issues, development agreements, implementation of major road and other infrastructure programs, subdivision map issues, transition into city jurisdiction, assignment and assumption agreements, and CEQA litigation.

The Irvine Company/Mountain Park (Anaheim). Represented the developer of a 3,200-acre mixed-use development on CEQA compliance, specific plan issues, development agreements, various agency agreements, and annexation issues.

Ranpac/Toscana (County of Riverside). Represented the developer of a 900-acre master-planned community on endangered species, wetlands, MSHCP, CEQA, and related issues.

Energy

Abengoa (San Bernardino County). Represented client on processing of multiple entitlements, coordination with Southern California Edison on project-related transmission and communication lines, assisting in the establishment of offsite mitigation lands for impacts to biological and agricultural resources, coordination with Southern California Edison on the processing of state and federal permits, water rights transfers, assisting in coordination with the Department of Energy on obtaining a DOE loan guaranty and Department of Treasury grant, and drafting legal opinion on permitting for the project.

Imperial Irrigation District (Riverside County and City of Indio). Represented client on CEQA issues, CEQA litigation, endangered species issues, local planning and zoning issues, and a variety of other related matters for construction of a 230 KV transmission lines.

Onyx Land and Title Company (Kern County). Represented client on due diligence analysis and review of wind power and solar power development potential on thousands of acres in Kern County.

Silicon Valley Power (Santa Clara). Represented municipally-owned utility company on a variety of issues related to authorization, financing, Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act issues, transmission agreements, and facility siting for a wind power project.

South Tahoe Public Utilities District (California). Represented the public utility district on energy facility siting, hydropower, licensing, CEQA processing, litigation and other entitlement and development issues relating to project operations including authorizations with the California Public Utilities Commission.

Calpine (Lake County and Sonoma County, California). Represented client on leasing, facility siting and transmission agreement issues for a number of geothermal projects.

California Energy Commission (Sacramento). Participated on a team with CTG Energetics under a contract from the California Energy Commission addressing energy efficiency and renewable energy in light of the California Global Warming Solutions Act.

Water

Surland Communities/Ellis (Tracy). Represented the developer of a master planned community on water supply issues, preparation and adequacy of a water supply assessment, preparation and adequacy of the water supply section of the EIR for the project, adequacy of the Urban Water Management Plan, and assistance in defending litigation challenging the adequacy of the water supply assessment and water supply section of the EIR.

Integral Communities/Dumbarton (Alameda County). Represented client on water supply issues, adequacy of water supply assessment and CEQA-related water supply adequacy issues for proposed development of a project including 2,500 residential units and 230,000 sq. ft. of commercial retail space.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (California, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada). Represented the Bureau on a variety of matters including the Bay Delta Water Quality hearings, Kesterson Reservoir cleanup and litigation; Central Valley Project issues, Truckee River species protection issues, Pyramid Lake water rights issues, hydropower licensing, Reclamation Act issues, and other related water matters.

California Farm Bureau/Okanogan Appeal (Washington). Drafted Amicus brief seeking appeal of a 9th Circuit decision regarding a conflict between enforcement of the Endangered Species Act and the exercise of state vested water rights.

Association of California Water Agencies (California). Represented the Association of California Water Agencies on numerous water legislative, regulatory, and litigation matters including the Audubon decision establishing public trust water rights in the State.

Water Districts and Related Entities (California). Represented numerous water districts, reclamation districts, county water agencies, and other similar water supply entities on a variety of water rights issues including water rights transfers, securing of water rights, compliance with Reclamation Act and related matters.

San Jacinto River Property Owners Coalition/San Jacinto River Valley Master Development Project (Perris/Riverside County). Represented five separate developers on the processing and approval of a master development, facilities improvement, and conservation plan project on 6,660 acres. Project includes flood control facilities, five separate residential/commercial development projects on 3,000 acres, and conservation area to be set aside pursuant to MSHCP. Providing counsel on MSHCP compliance, CEQA compliance, local entitlements processing, state and federal wetlands permitting, and endangered species issues.

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (California, Washington, Idaho, Montana). Represented the Bureau of Indian Affairs and numerous Indian tribes including the Yakima, Flathead, Blackfoot, Shoshone, and Klamath in numerous water rights, fishing rights, and other resource-related development and protection matters in Indian lands throughout the Pacific Northwest.